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Home » Early Years Science » How to build a stable LEGO Bridge

How to build a stable LEGO Bridge

Modified: Apr 28, 2023 · Published: Aug 14, 2014 by Emma Vanstone · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

Are you ready for our 6th LEGO® activity for the summer? We made several bridges and then devised a way to test how stable they were.

First, we discussed how to test each bridge. We tried adding weights to the top, but they just fell off rather than breaking the bridge. We tried hanging weights from the bridge, but again they fell off. So we decided to roll a ball towards the bridge to see if it fell over.

You’ll need

LEGO® bricks – we used DUPLO

Different size balls

LEGO base

Things to consider

The greater the force behind the ball as you push, the greater the force applied to the bridge. So if you roll a ball hard, the bridge is more likely to fall over than if you roll gently.

To reduce the variable effect of this, the same person rolled the same ball from the same distance each time, trying to keep the force behind the ball the same.

LEGO Bridge made from DUPLO for a wrecking ball investigation

The first bridge fell over straight away, so we strengthened the base, but it still fell over.

LEGO Bridge made form DUPLO for an engineering challenge

We strengthened the bridge further with an extra piece of LEGO® in the middle, and it stayed upright.

LEGO Bridge

At this point, children can think about which features of the bridge made it more or less stable.

Extension Tasks

Test a tower for stability using a pendulum.

Can you build a structure using marshmallows and spaghetti? This activity gets a bit messy and sticky but is brilliant fun!

Make a sweetie house and test for the best ‘cement’.

Find out why domes are strong using eggshells. A brittle eggshell may be stronger than you think!

Make a colourful Twirligig like Teach Beside Me!

Or, try one of my many other engineering project ideas for kids!

Bridge made from LEGO® and a ball for an engineering STEM challenge

Last Updated on April 28, 2023 by Emma Vanstone

More Early Years Science

  • ideas for learning with LEGO
    40 Easy Science Experiments Using LEGO®
  • Firework Crafts – Spin Art and Filter Paper Pictures
  • Tennis ball bouncing
    Why do balls bounce?
  • 20 AWESOME Outdoor Science Experiments for Kids

Safety Notice

Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

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